When Jadisyn Andrasek, 8, overheard her grandmother talking to a friend about the Boxes of Love promotion sponsored by the United Way of Central Kansas, she wanted to help.
She thought for a moment, and decided she could share a nice Valentine note to be put in each of the packages. Using the pages from the friend’s heart-shaped notepad, Jadisyn went to work on the project, and wrote 80 Valentine’s greetings.
She also attached a sweet treat to each one. Her sister, Jaizley, 7, wanted to help too, so grandma bought her a package of Valentines also, which she signed and drew pictures on the backs.
After school Thursday, the girls brought their contributions to the RSVP office in Great Bend, one of the designated drop-off sites.
United Way of Central Kansas collected items for Boxes of Love from community members and volunteers started picking up boxes of donations Friday. The items will be sorted Tuesday and college athletes from the wrestling team, soccer team and softball team are coming to help pack the boxes on Wednesday.
They will be distributed through the Meals On Wheels, ElderCare Home Services and Great Bend Home Health & Hospice programs on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day.
This program is not just about giving out items that homebound people might need, organizers said. It has a bigger scope and that is touching these people’s hearts by human contact, socialization, having someone to talk to, and just showing them that they are loved.